WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.339 Folks, let me pray before we dive into that wonderful passage. Let's pray together. 00:00:06.900 --> 00:00:13.240 Father, we come before you this morning and we come before this passage and we have questions 00:00:13.240 --> 00:00:19.760 and maybe we have other thoughts and worries. Lord, we ask that you would still our hearts 00:00:19.760 --> 00:00:26.839 and that the words of my mouth and the reflection of all of our hearts would be pleasing to you. 00:00:26.839 --> 00:00:32.019 We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our rock and our redeemer. Amen. 00:00:34.519 --> 00:00:42.060 Do you know the story behind the well-known older hymn, I have decided to follow Jesus? 00:00:43.920 --> 00:00:50.500 Well, it came about like this. A family in a small town in India became Christians years ago. 00:00:51.659 --> 00:00:55.679 And when the village found out that they had become Christians, they were outraged. 00:00:55.679 --> 00:00:59.240 And they pulled them into the town square. 00:00:59.780 --> 00:01:06.420 The chief of that town told the father to renounce Jesus or his whole family would be killed. 00:01:08.560 --> 00:01:14.879 And the words that came out of his mouth that day were, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back. 00:01:16.760 --> 00:01:19.000 And with those words, his children were killed. 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:24.859 Again, he was commanded to renounce his faith in Jesus. 00:01:27.040 --> 00:01:28.420 But instead he said, 00:01:30.420 --> 00:01:33.540 Though none go with me, still I will follow. 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:36.120 No turning back. 00:01:36.120 --> 00:01:39.579 And with that, his wife was killed. 00:01:41.780 --> 00:01:45.439 And then for the final time, this time with his own life in the balance, 00:01:46.280 --> 00:01:49.620 the man was given the opportunity to renounce Jesus and live. 00:01:51.080 --> 00:01:52.240 And yet what did he say? 00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:56.540 The cross before me, the world behind me. 00:01:57.180 --> 00:01:58.960 No turning back. 00:01:58.959 --> 00:02:01.219 I have decided to follow Jesus. 00:02:02.519 --> 00:02:05.000 And those were his last words. 00:02:06.659 --> 00:02:14.299 Now the witness of that man and of his entire family as they suffered was the turning point for that entire village. 00:02:14.300 --> 00:02:19.360 They saw that he was willing to suffer and die for his faith in Jesus. 00:02:20.140 --> 00:02:22.920 And because of his devotion and love for Christ, 00:02:24.460 --> 00:02:27.980 and his dying witness, and that of his entire family, 00:02:28.920 --> 00:02:31.900 the people who killed him became Christians. 00:02:33.480 --> 00:02:39.600 The only reason that man could stand in the face of such terrible suffering and persecution 00:02:39.599 --> 00:02:42.979 was because he knew that he was not alone. 00:02:44.759 --> 00:02:49.019 He knew that he was called by Jesus to deny himself, 00:02:49.400 --> 00:02:52.419 to take up his cross and follow him. 00:02:53.819 --> 00:02:56.979 But it's so easy for us to sing words like, 00:02:57.120 --> 00:02:59.120 I have decided to follow Jesus, isn't it? 00:03:00.879 --> 00:03:06.280 Words that are jam-packed with a desire to serve God and to give our all to him. 00:03:07.180 --> 00:03:08.740 But do we really mean it? 00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:16.659 Can we genuinely confess that our desire is to give everything to God? 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:21.240 See friends, the Christian life is costly. 00:03:22.259 --> 00:03:25.519 Ask anyone who's been a Christian for any number of years, 00:03:25.579 --> 00:03:30.479 and they will have stories of the cost of following Jesus. 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:35.620 Being a Christian is costly, but it is totally worth it. 00:03:35.620 --> 00:03:41.219 This morning I want us to spend a few minutes in Luke 9, 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:43.580 particularly verses 23 to 26. 00:03:43.819 --> 00:03:46.599 So it would be great if you have that passage open in front of you. 00:03:47.159 --> 00:03:52.259 And I've chosen this because I want us to see that the life Christians are called to, 00:03:52.360 --> 00:03:56.480 the life we're called to live, is costly but glorious. 00:03:56.479 --> 00:03:59.919 And as we go into this new year, 00:04:00.259 --> 00:04:04.139 this is a time where people often reflect on the year gone by, 00:04:04.199 --> 00:04:07.939 and they plan to do things maybe a little bit differently in the coming year. 00:04:10.079 --> 00:04:11.239 Wouldn't it be wonderful 00:04:11.239 --> 00:04:15.139 if in this new year we as a whole church family, 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:16.800 as individuals as well, 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:19.639 decided to submit fully to Christ 00:04:19.639 --> 00:04:22.620 in every area of our lives 00:04:22.620 --> 00:04:25.300 and count the cost of following him. 00:04:27.139 --> 00:04:32.199 This morning I want us to see that this message of hope and salvation, 00:04:32.199 --> 00:04:35.019 that is the gospel of Jesus in the world, 00:04:35.019 --> 00:04:39.220 is also a call to come and die. 00:04:40.460 --> 00:04:43.259 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and theologian 00:04:43.259 --> 00:04:45.660 from a number of years ago, put it this way, 00:04:45.660 --> 00:04:50.640 when Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. 00:04:52.320 --> 00:04:55.200 We might think of death as only a negative thing. 00:04:56.320 --> 00:04:58.640 But I hope that as we spend time in Luke 9, 00:04:58.760 --> 00:05:01.420 we'll see that the death Jesus calls us to 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:05.040 is one that leads to glorious life, 00:05:05.780 --> 00:05:07.460 true and lasting hope, 00:05:07.540 --> 00:05:11.280 and an eternity that is beyond our wildest dreams. 00:05:13.640 --> 00:05:15.580 Maybe this is your first time in church. 00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:20.000 And you're investigating what this whole Christianity thing is all about. 00:05:21.320 --> 00:05:25.420 Maybe you're a discouraged Christian who is weary of the daily battle. 00:05:27.020 --> 00:05:28.660 Or maybe you're listening to this 00:05:28.660 --> 00:05:29.980 and you're just really struggling 00:05:29.980 --> 00:05:33.820 to find hope and meaning in this life. 00:05:35.640 --> 00:05:37.980 As we look to the call to follow Jesus, 00:05:38.100 --> 00:05:39.660 my prayer is that we would all be encouraged 00:05:39.660 --> 00:05:42.460 encouraged and challenged at the same time. 00:05:43.400 --> 00:05:45.360 So we'll look at these few verses 00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:47.240 by thinking about three commands 00:05:47.240 --> 00:05:49.260 and two reasons. 00:05:49.960 --> 00:05:51.920 So the first thing we see in this passage 00:05:51.920 --> 00:05:53.140 are three commands. 00:05:53.400 --> 00:05:56.060 In verse 23, three commands. 00:05:56.860 --> 00:05:59.379 So the three commands are to deny self, 00:05:59.879 --> 00:06:01.420 to take up your cross, 00:06:01.620 --> 00:06:03.440 and to follow Jesus. 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:05.519 Now in Luke 9, 00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:06.819 Jesus asked his disciples 00:06:06.819 --> 00:06:08.360 who they think he is. 00:06:09.339 --> 00:06:11.240 Peter confesses in verse 20 00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:13.199 that Jesus is God's Messiah, 00:06:13.339 --> 00:06:14.719 the sent one from God 00:06:14.719 --> 00:06:16.720 who would save God's people. 00:06:17.779 --> 00:06:18.639 Peter is right, 00:06:18.959 --> 00:06:21.240 even if he doesn't fully grasp 00:06:21.240 --> 00:06:22.680 what he has just said. 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:27.019 And after that wonderful declaration of truth 00:06:27.019 --> 00:06:28.660 that Jesus is God's Messiah, 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:32.100 Jesus says that he will be killed 00:06:32.100 --> 00:06:33.680 by the chief priests 00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:35.199 and the teachers of the law. 00:06:35.720 --> 00:06:36.840 But on the third day, 00:06:37.139 --> 00:06:38.040 he will rise again. 00:06:39.800 --> 00:06:41.800 So the truth of who Jesus is 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:44.199 goes hand in hand with his death, 00:06:44.780 --> 00:06:46.399 which is the means by which 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:47.340 he saves people 00:06:47.340 --> 00:06:49.740 and therefore is fulfilling his role 00:06:49.740 --> 00:06:50.879 as God's Messiah. 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:53.180 It's also a bit more than that, 00:06:53.219 --> 00:06:53.600 isn't it? 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:55.680 Because Jesus, 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:57.540 after speaking of his own death, 00:06:57.860 --> 00:06:58.939 turns to his disciples 00:06:58.939 --> 00:07:00.579 and calls them to die too. 00:07:00.939 --> 00:07:02.360 Read verse 23 with me. 00:07:03.180 --> 00:07:04.879 Whoever wants to be my disciple 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:06.740 must deny themselves, 00:07:07.399 --> 00:07:08.860 take up their cross daily, 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:10.639 and follow me. 00:07:12.300 --> 00:07:13.219 And normally when you're trying 00:07:13.219 --> 00:07:14.759 to enthuse people about something, 00:07:14.860 --> 00:07:16.540 you start with the benefits first, 00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:17.040 don't you? 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:18.579 For example, 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:19.680 if you're trying to convince 00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:20.399 family members 00:07:20.399 --> 00:07:21.679 to go on a holiday abroad, 00:07:21.779 --> 00:07:23.060 you start by talking 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:24.139 about the lovely beaches, 00:07:24.759 --> 00:07:26.039 about the warm weather, 00:07:26.159 --> 00:07:26.759 the sunshine. 00:07:28.099 --> 00:07:28.819 You don't talk about 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:29.539 the long flight. 00:07:30.459 --> 00:07:31.419 You don't talk about 00:07:31.419 --> 00:07:32.419 all the COVID tests 00:07:32.419 --> 00:07:33.039 you've got to do. 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:33.839 You don't talk about 00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:35.639 the quarantine on return 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:37.419 because you want people 00:07:37.419 --> 00:07:38.639 to see the benefits 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:40.579 before they see the cost, 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:41.139 right? 00:07:42.719 --> 00:07:44.139 Well, Jesus doesn't do that. 00:07:45.159 --> 00:07:46.139 See, in the eyes of the world, 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:47.759 this is probably one of the worst 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:48.860 recruitment strategies 00:07:48.860 --> 00:07:49.800 that exists. 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:51.899 Because Jesus says, 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:52.779 if you want to be 00:07:52.779 --> 00:07:53.839 his disciple, 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:55.980 if you want to follow him, 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:57.000 you need to take up 00:07:57.000 --> 00:07:58.659 your cross daily. 00:07:59.860 --> 00:08:01.300 Now, to our modern minds, 00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:02.899 that might not sound like much. 00:08:04.039 --> 00:08:05.599 We don't have the same idea 00:08:05.599 --> 00:08:06.800 of crosses today 00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:08.659 as the first listeners did. 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:10.759 Today, a cross has become 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:11.920 a stylish accessory, 00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:13.740 a nice necklace, 00:08:13.959 --> 00:08:14.519 a bracelet, 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:15.839 or something like that. 00:08:17.219 --> 00:08:18.419 But for these first listeners, 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:20.279 the cross meant only one thing, 00:08:21.139 --> 00:08:21.740 death. 00:08:23.839 --> 00:08:25.839 The cross was a means 00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:26.819 of execution, 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:28.479 of punishment, 00:08:29.319 --> 00:08:31.439 a sign of public humiliation, 00:08:31.879 --> 00:08:33.240 and a visible reminder 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:34.879 never ever to cross 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:36.059 the Roman authorities. 00:08:39.460 --> 00:08:42.100 All Christians are to deny themselves 00:08:42.100 --> 00:08:43.460 and take up their cross 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:44.440 and follow Jesus. 00:08:45.139 --> 00:08:46.840 All Christians are to 00:08:46.840 --> 00:08:48.360 renounce our own plans, 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:50.540 renounce our own purposes 00:08:50.540 --> 00:08:51.320 instead, 00:08:52.600 --> 00:08:53.759 and follow Jesus, 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:55.720 to live for him. 00:08:56.560 --> 00:08:58.000 And this isn't meaningless. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:00.360 Jesus doesn't tell us 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:01.779 to do this just for fun, 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:06.340 or for some form of asceticism, 00:09:06.420 --> 00:09:07.800 which is where we think 00:09:07.800 --> 00:09:09.320 that this world or this life 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:10.519 don't matter at all. 00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:11.980 No, Jesus tells us 00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:13.139 to deny ourselves 00:09:13.139 --> 00:09:15.220 so that we are enabled 00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:16.679 and can follow him. 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:19.779 So the call 00:09:19.779 --> 00:09:21.079 of the Christian life 00:09:21.079 --> 00:09:22.100 is to deny self, 00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:23.399 take up your cross, 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:25.579 to die to yourself, 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:27.159 and instead to live for 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:28.220 and follow Jesus. 00:09:29.579 --> 00:09:30.840 To deny self 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:31.579 means to renounce 00:09:31.579 --> 00:09:32.539 all the things 00:09:32.539 --> 00:09:33.379 that would distract you 00:09:33.379 --> 00:09:33.939 from Jesus, 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:36.179 to turn away from everything 00:09:36.179 --> 00:09:37.139 that would cause you 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:37.879 to stumble, 00:09:38.579 --> 00:09:39.879 and reject anything 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:40.700 that would demand 00:09:40.700 --> 00:09:41.379 your worship 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:42.500 that is not Jesus. 00:09:44.439 --> 00:09:45.879 It means that you are not 00:09:45.879 --> 00:09:46.840 in charge of your life 00:09:46.840 --> 00:09:47.399 any longer. 00:09:48.659 --> 00:09:50.399 It means that you love Jesus 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:51.299 more than you love 00:09:51.299 --> 00:09:52.559 the approval of others, 00:09:53.100 --> 00:09:55.639 more than you love comfort, 00:09:56.580 --> 00:09:58.439 more than you love life itself. 00:09:58.440 --> 00:10:01.700 for some people 00:10:01.700 --> 00:10:02.320 that means 00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:03.960 leaving their home country 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:04.560 and comfort 00:10:04.560 --> 00:10:05.140 that they've known 00:10:05.140 --> 00:10:05.900 their whole lives 00:10:05.900 --> 00:10:07.180 to go to a new place 00:10:07.180 --> 00:10:08.280 and tell people 00:10:08.280 --> 00:10:09.040 about Jesus. 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:11.720 For most of us 00:10:11.720 --> 00:10:12.540 it means refusing 00:10:12.540 --> 00:10:13.280 to go along 00:10:13.280 --> 00:10:14.620 with our natural tendency 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:15.320 to sin. 00:10:16.540 --> 00:10:17.560 It might mean 00:10:17.560 --> 00:10:18.580 not engaging 00:10:18.580 --> 00:10:19.240 in gossip 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:20.160 at work, 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:21.880 pulling the boss down 00:10:21.880 --> 00:10:22.740 when he's not looking. 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:24.360 It might mean 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:25.560 denying ourselves time 00:10:25.560 --> 00:10:26.460 in front of the TV 00:10:26.460 --> 00:10:27.259 because we maybe 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:28.240 haven't read our Bible 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:29.100 that day 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:30.160 or prayed with the kids 00:10:30.160 --> 00:10:31.200 before they go to bed. 00:10:32.900 --> 00:10:33.820 Denying self 00:10:33.820 --> 00:10:34.460 is hard. 00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:35.379 It is going to be 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:35.780 a struggle 00:10:35.780 --> 00:10:36.700 but as we'll see 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:37.139 in a moment 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:38.040 it is totally 00:10:38.040 --> 00:10:39.240 worth it. 00:10:41.300 --> 00:10:42.540 To take up your cross 00:10:42.540 --> 00:10:43.480 means to be ready 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:44.040 and willing 00:10:44.040 --> 00:10:44.940 to be opposed 00:10:44.940 --> 00:10:46.560 for your Christian faith. 00:10:47.560 --> 00:10:48.700 To be shamed 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:50.200 for holding 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:51.000 biblical views 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:51.480 that run 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:52.480 contrary to what 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:54.360 our current culture says. 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:56.259 to suffer 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:57.159 because you're 00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:58.200 a follower of Jesus 00:10:58.200 --> 00:10:58.919 and maybe 00:10:58.919 --> 00:11:00.519 to die 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:01.419 because of your 00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:02.379 allegiance to him. 00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:05.279 To deny self 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:06.340 and take up your cross 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:08.039 means that Jesus 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:08.940 is more precious 00:11:08.940 --> 00:11:09.340 to you 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:10.259 than anything else. 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:12.940 For the disciples 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:14.159 originally hearing this 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:15.039 it meant that they would 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:15.779 literally die 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:16.500 for their faith. 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:18.279 Church history 00:11:18.279 --> 00:11:19.100 tells us how 00:11:19.100 --> 00:11:20.000 most of them 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:20.580 were killed 00:11:20.580 --> 00:11:21.920 for following Jesus. 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:24.360 for many Christians 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:25.219 in the world today 00:11:25.219 --> 00:11:26.379 taking up their cross 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:27.459 really does mean 00:11:27.459 --> 00:11:28.059 that they will be 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:29.059 executed for their 00:11:29.059 --> 00:11:30.399 faith in Christ. 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:32.819 And we need to 00:11:32.819 --> 00:11:33.879 consider that cost 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:35.379 and really be willing 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:36.779 to carry it. 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:39.240 A few years ago 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:40.039 my wife and I 00:11:40.039 --> 00:11:41.459 spent some time 00:11:41.459 --> 00:11:42.120 in the Middle East 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:43.159 and we were speaking 00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:44.019 with a young 00:11:44.019 --> 00:11:45.379 missionary family there 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:46.839 and he was asked 00:11:46.839 --> 00:11:47.860 the husband was asked 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:48.519 by a group 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:50.000 aren't you afraid 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:52.919 to share the gospel 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:53.759 aren't you afraid 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:54.700 for your own life 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:55.980 that you might be killed 00:11:55.980 --> 00:11:57.360 because you're here 00:11:57.360 --> 00:11:58.039 and you're a missionary 00:11:58.039 --> 00:11:58.860 where you're not allowed 00:11:58.860 --> 00:11:59.399 to be. 00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:04.980 And with dead seriousness 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:06.879 on his face 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:08.820 he looked at the group 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:09.279 and said 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:09.620 no 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:12.279 I consider the cost 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:13.220 of dying for Jesus 00:12:13.220 --> 00:12:14.759 when I became a Christian 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:16.000 and nothing has changed. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:20.179 carrying your cross 00:12:20.179 --> 00:12:21.019 is a cost 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:22.019 that could lead 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:22.620 to death 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:23.740 and we must be aware 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:24.100 of that. 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:26.860 And the final command 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:28.460 is to follow Jesus. 00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:31.279 This means to follow 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:32.139 his example 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:34.340 to walk in his footsteps 00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:36.379 to live as he lives 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:37.100 brothers and sisters 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.919 you cannot separate 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:40.120 Jesus from the rest 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:40.700 of the Bible. 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:42.419 To be a follower 00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:43.440 of Jesus means 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:44.320 to submit 00:12:44.320 --> 00:12:46.300 to God's word 00:12:46.300 --> 00:12:47.700 to live according 00:12:47.700 --> 00:12:48.560 to it 00:12:48.560 --> 00:12:49.700 in every area 00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:50.900 of your life. 00:12:53.060 --> 00:12:53.980 Following Jesus 00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:54.580 means that you 00:12:54.580 --> 00:12:55.760 intentionally live out 00:12:55.760 --> 00:12:56.400 your faith 00:12:56.400 --> 00:12:57.400 for him. 00:12:58.760 --> 00:13:00.240 You need to be active 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:01.240 in your pursuit 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:02.120 of Christ. 00:13:02.640 --> 00:13:03.260 Being a Christian 00:13:03.260 --> 00:13:04.700 is not just about 00:13:04.700 --> 00:13:05.440 coming to church 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:06.060 on a Sunday 00:13:06.060 --> 00:13:07.960 to the Sunday services. 00:13:08.900 --> 00:13:09.500 It means that 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:10.820 your entire life 00:13:10.820 --> 00:13:12.200 the way you think 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:12.980 about things 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:14.200 the way you 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:15.840 interact with the ideas 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:16.580 of the world 00:13:16.580 --> 00:13:18.840 and who you are 00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:19.920 the way you live 00:13:19.920 --> 00:13:21.680 is completely different. 00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:24.420 You cannot coast 00:13:24.420 --> 00:13:25.920 through the Christian life 00:13:25.920 --> 00:13:27.620 but instead 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:28.640 we must intentionally 00:13:28.640 --> 00:13:29.660 be becoming 00:13:29.660 --> 00:13:30.920 more like Jesus 00:13:30.920 --> 00:13:32.060 every single day. 00:13:33.660 --> 00:13:34.860 So the call 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:35.660 of Jesus 00:13:35.660 --> 00:13:37.040 is to die to yourself 00:13:37.040 --> 00:13:38.759 and to live for him 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:40.420 and to be 00:13:40.420 --> 00:13:41.160 like him. 00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:43.780 Now maybe you're 00:13:43.780 --> 00:13:44.220 sitting there 00:13:44.220 --> 00:13:44.560 and thinking 00:13:44.560 --> 00:13:45.120 well this all 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:45.900 sounds just a bit 00:13:45.900 --> 00:13:46.660 too much for me. 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:48.879 This whole Christianity 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:49.740 thing is asking 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:51.180 quite a lot. 00:13:52.400 --> 00:13:53.360 Maybe you're tired 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:54.200 and you're weary 00:13:54.200 --> 00:13:55.100 and you're questioning 00:13:55.100 --> 00:13:55.820 whether or not 00:13:55.820 --> 00:13:56.980 Jesus really knows 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:57.680 what he's asking 00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:58.259 of you. 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:01.020 Well brothers and sisters 00:14:01.020 --> 00:14:01.740 Jesus knows 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.379 more than anyone 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:02.960 what it means 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:03.860 to carry a cross. 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:07.060 Jesus is the only one 00:14:07.060 --> 00:14:08.780 who can call people 00:14:08.780 --> 00:14:09.780 to deny themselves 00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:11.059 and to carry 00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:11.839 their cross 00:14:11.839 --> 00:14:14.199 because he carried 00:14:14.199 --> 00:14:15.519 a cross to his own 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:16.059 execution. 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:18.240 The place where he 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:19.379 bore the weight of sin 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:20.339 and God's wrath 00:14:20.339 --> 00:14:21.120 so that sinners 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:22.419 like you and like me 00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:23.279 could be made 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:24.199 right with God 00:14:24.199 --> 00:14:25.899 and have life 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:27.139 in all of its fullness 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:29.339 so that we could live 00:14:29.339 --> 00:14:30.120 the life we were 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.620 created to live. 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:34.319 Jesus went through 00:14:34.319 --> 00:14:35.419 agony and death 00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:36.079 so that we could 00:14:36.079 --> 00:14:36.919 serve God 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:38.379 and out of our 00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:39.799 devotion to him 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:40.759 have life. 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:44.419 There is great cost 00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:45.259 in following Jesus. 00:14:45.579 --> 00:14:46.500 There is no denying 00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:47.360 that and as Christians 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:48.579 we need to be 00:14:48.579 --> 00:14:49.839 upfront about that. 00:14:51.099 --> 00:14:52.059 But there is also 00:14:52.059 --> 00:14:52.939 great blessing. 00:14:53.819 --> 00:14:55.299 There is true hope. 00:14:55.819 --> 00:14:56.959 There is eternal life 00:14:56.959 --> 00:14:58.059 spent in harmony 00:14:58.059 --> 00:14:59.599 with God forever. 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.659 All of the suffering 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:03.899 we endure in this life 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:04.779 as we follow these 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:05.439 three commands 00:15:05.439 --> 00:15:06.360 to deny ourselves 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:07.320 to take up our cross 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:08.240 and follow him 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:10.600 are completely worth it. 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:13.259 But maybe you are 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:13.840 still asking 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:14.560 well why? 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:16.580 Why should I do that? 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:18.100 Why should I give up 00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:19.240 everything to follow Jesus? 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:20.200 What is in it for me? 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:22.680 That is exactly what 00:15:22.680 --> 00:15:24.039 Jesus goes on to explain. 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.180 And the second thing 00:15:25.180 --> 00:15:26.300 we see in our passage 00:15:26.300 --> 00:15:27.340 the two reasons 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:28.940 why we should follow 00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:29.820 Jesus' commands 00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:32.320 in verses 24 to 26. 00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:34.440 Two reasons. 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:36.120 Read those verses 00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:36.940 with me. 00:15:37.040 --> 00:15:37.900 Verse 24. 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:39.420 For whoever wants 00:15:39.420 --> 00:15:40.520 to save their life 00:15:40.520 --> 00:15:41.160 will lose it 00:15:41.160 --> 00:15:42.100 but whoever loses 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:43.160 their life for me 00:15:43.160 --> 00:15:44.300 will save it. 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:45.820 What good is it 00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:46.260 for someone 00:15:46.260 --> 00:15:47.460 to gain the whole world 00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:48.320 and yet lose 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:49.100 or forfeit 00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:50.140 their very self? 00:15:51.520 --> 00:15:52.600 Whoever is ashamed 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.940 of me and my words 00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:55.600 the Son of Man 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.180 will be ashamed 00:15:56.180 --> 00:15:56.640 of them 00:15:56.640 --> 00:15:57.360 when he comes 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:58.140 in his glory 00:15:58.140 --> 00:15:59.460 and in the glory 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:00.080 of the Father 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:02.120 and of the holy angels. 00:16:03.920 --> 00:16:05.060 So the two reasons 00:16:05.060 --> 00:16:06.440 to follow Jesus' commands 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:07.180 are one 00:16:07.180 --> 00:16:08.680 by losing your life 00:16:08.680 --> 00:16:09.580 it will be saved 00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:10.420 in verse 24 00:16:10.420 --> 00:16:11.740 and two 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:13.520 Jesus will not be ashamed 00:16:13.520 --> 00:16:13.960 of you 00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:14.840 in the end 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:16.340 verse 26. 00:16:17.060 --> 00:16:17.700 Now let's look 00:16:17.700 --> 00:16:18.379 at those in turn 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:19.139 and see how these 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:20.160 are great reasons 00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:21.320 and motives 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:23.040 to deny ourselves 00:16:23.040 --> 00:16:24.200 to carry our cross 00:16:24.200 --> 00:16:25.220 and follow Christ. 00:16:26.140 --> 00:16:27.400 So verse 24 says 00:16:27.400 --> 00:16:28.060 whoever wants 00:16:28.060 --> 00:16:29.140 to save their life 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.799 will lose it 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:30.699 but whoever loses 00:16:30.699 --> 00:16:31.759 their life for me 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:33.100 will save it. 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:35.120 That's the first reason. 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:37.279 Now here we get 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:38.559 a wake up call 00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:40.340 which tells us 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:40.939 the reality 00:16:40.939 --> 00:16:42.080 of how we respond 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:42.699 to Jesus 00:16:42.699 --> 00:16:44.580 really matters. 00:16:46.199 --> 00:16:46.819 Maybe you've been 00:16:46.819 --> 00:16:47.559 flirting around 00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:48.539 with Christianity 00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:49.860 for a little while now 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:51.419 coming along 00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:52.120 to church 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:53.460 saying and doing 00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:54.080 the right things 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:55.000 but actually sitting 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:55.700 on the fence 00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:57.779 not following Jesus 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:58.720 as you should 00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.500 and as the Bible 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.100 says 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:02.680 or maybe you 00:17:02.680 --> 00:17:03.639 are considering 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.180 Christianity 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:04.759 but you're 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:05.779 putting it off 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.360 for a more 00:17:06.360 --> 00:17:07.400 convenient time. 00:17:09.600 --> 00:17:10.259 Choosing Jesus 00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:11.079 isn't something 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:11.920 you put off. 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:13.920 Too often 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:14.759 people reason 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:15.539 that they want 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.640 to live a little 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.880 before they become 00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:18.339 Christians. 00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:20.140 They want to go 00:17:20.140 --> 00:17:20.779 out partying 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:21.680 have a few 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.539 sexual partners 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.819 and only after 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.600 that do they 00:17:24.600 --> 00:17:25.779 maybe want 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.259 to become 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:26.779 Christians. 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.259 There is no 00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:30.839 time to delay. 00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:33.579 It is not 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:34.740 smart or wise 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.599 it is simply 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:36.980 deceiving yourself 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:38.220 and rejecting 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.259 Jesus to put it 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:39.619 off. 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.480 Jesus made it 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.339 abundantly clear 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.000 that a day is 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.779 coming where he 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:46.039 will judge the 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:46.460 world. 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:48.119 All those who 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:49.160 call on him 00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:51.379 all those who 00:17:51.379 --> 00:17:52.139 deny themselves 00:17:52.139 --> 00:17:52.879 take up their 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.700 cross and follow 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.340 him will be 00:17:54.340 --> 00:17:54.860 saved. 00:17:55.340 --> 00:17:55.900 Meaning that 00:17:55.900 --> 00:17:56.900 people, those 00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:57.600 Christians will 00:17:57.600 --> 00:17:58.600 spend eternity 00:17:58.600 --> 00:17:59.380 in the presence 00:17:59.380 --> 00:17:59.900 of God in 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:00.720 perfect harmony. 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.360 No more pain, 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:04.080 no more suffering, 00:18:04.600 --> 00:18:05.860 no more death 00:18:05.860 --> 00:18:06.740 and no more sin. 00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:09.180 The place often 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:10.559 referred to as 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:11.279 heaven. 00:18:12.600 --> 00:18:13.559 But those who 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.620 reject Jesus will 00:18:14.620 --> 00:18:15.660 lose their souls. 00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:16.900 Meaning that they 00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:17.700 will spend their 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.759 eternity under the 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:20.259 just wrath and 00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:21.259 judgment of God in 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.440 the place we call 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:22.840 hell. 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:26.299 the path of 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:27.600 denying self, 00:18:27.940 --> 00:18:28.640 the path of 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.460 carrying your 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.220 cross, the path 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:31.460 of following Jesus 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.880 leads to eternal 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:34.740 peace and union 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.799 with God and the 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:37.420 path of self 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:38.840 pleasure, of 00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:40.039 self-centeredness, 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:41.360 of self-worship 00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:42.759 leads to separation 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.720 from God and 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.100 judgment. 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:47.180 The things that we 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:48.319 see in this world, 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.779 in this life, are 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.279 temporary. 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:52.160 They are fleeting, 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:54.040 running after them 00:18:54.040 --> 00:18:55.180 may satisfy for a 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:56.000 moment or maybe 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:56.920 even a day or a 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:57.640 week or a few 00:18:57.640 --> 00:18:58.080 months. 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:00.500 But one day it 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:01.860 will all be gone. 00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:04.540 And on that day 00:19:04.540 --> 00:19:05.920 the question won't 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.740 be, well how big 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:07.500 was your house? 00:19:08.100 --> 00:19:09.000 How much money did 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:09.540 you have in the 00:19:09.540 --> 00:19:09.900 bank? 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.140 The question will 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:11.820 be, how did you 00:19:11.820 --> 00:19:12.920 respond to Jesus? 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:15.779 Did you live for 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:17.080 him or not? 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:21.259 The decision that 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.100 Jesus gives people 00:19:22.100 --> 00:19:23.180 in verse 24 is 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:24.060 whether they accept 00:19:24.060 --> 00:19:25.300 or reject him, 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.600 which has eternal 00:19:26.600 --> 00:19:27.279 consequences. 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:29.840 And the same is 00:19:29.840 --> 00:19:30.380 true today. 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:32.640 Will you accept 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:33.560 Christ and be 00:19:33.560 --> 00:19:34.460 saved or reject 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:35.880 Christ and be 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:36.259 lost? 00:19:38.080 --> 00:19:39.100 By denying 00:19:39.100 --> 00:19:40.100 yourself and 00:19:40.100 --> 00:19:40.960 carrying your cross 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:41.740 and following Jesus, 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.640 you are putting him 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.180 first. 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:44.740 You are submitting 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:46.460 to his will. 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.839 Submitting to the 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:49.559 word of God and 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.400 following Jesus with 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:51.400 everything you have. 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.920 As Bonhoeffer said, 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:55.940 when Christ calls a 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:56.620 man, he bids him 00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:57.579 come and die. 00:19:59.140 --> 00:20:00.299 You cannot gain 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:02.420 resurrection life, 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:03.500 true life, 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.579 without first of all 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:05.660 dying to yourself. 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.539 And Jesus reiterates 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.559 that in verse 25. 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.279 Read it with me. 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:11.279 What good is it for 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.139 someone to gain the 00:20:12.139 --> 00:20:14.319 whole world and yet 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:15.539 lose or forfeit their 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.279 very self? 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:18.859 So you can have 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:19.680 everything in the 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:21.180 world, but it is all 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:22.399 worthless if in the 00:20:22.399 --> 00:20:23.420 end you lose your soul. 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.700 Jesus isn't saying 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.779 that you gain salvation 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:29.079 by denying yourself. 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:31.259 A person is only saved 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:32.359 through Jesus. 00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:34.319 but he is saying 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:34.939 there is no point 00:20:34.939 --> 00:20:35.639 gaining the world 00:20:35.639 --> 00:20:36.639 and losing your soul. 00:20:37.199 --> 00:20:37.959 Now Jim 00:20:37.959 --> 00:20:39.319 Kerry, an actor 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:39.959 and comedian, 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:41.399 has a net worth 00:20:41.399 --> 00:20:42.039 of over 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:44.179 180 million 00:20:44.179 --> 00:20:44.679 dollars. 00:20:46.139 --> 00:20:47.299 He is arguably 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:48.159 someone who has 00:20:48.159 --> 00:20:49.119 gained the world. 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.479 But he said this, 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:53.339 I think everyone 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:54.119 should get rich 00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:54.719 and famous 00:20:54.719 --> 00:20:55.539 and do everything 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.199 they have ever 00:20:56.199 --> 00:20:56.959 dreamed of 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:58.700 so that they can 00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.120 see it's not 00:20:59.120 --> 00:20:59.620 the answer. 00:21:02.100 --> 00:21:02.660 See, the place 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:03.360 to find life 00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:04.039 is not in this 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:04.420 world. 00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:05.900 It is only 00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:07.100 in Jesus. 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.519 The one 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.200 through whom 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:09.779 we are saved. 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.259 The one who 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.019 calls us to 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.819 deny ourselves, 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.860 take up our 00:21:12.860 --> 00:21:13.340 cross and 00:21:13.340 --> 00:21:14.019 follow him. 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:17.940 Jesus calls us 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:18.680 to die so that 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.279 we can truly 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:19.700 live. 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:22.120 And the second 00:21:22.120 --> 00:21:22.819 reason Jesus 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:23.660 gives for people 00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:24.640 to deny themselves, 00:21:24.840 --> 00:21:25.420 to take up their 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:26.100 cross and follow 00:21:26.100 --> 00:21:26.420 him, 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.620 is so that 00:21:27.620 --> 00:21:28.340 on that final 00:21:28.340 --> 00:21:28.680 day, 00:21:29.180 --> 00:21:29.920 as we all 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.740 stand before 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.279 God, 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:32.880 Jesus will not 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:33.519 be ashamed of 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:33.819 us. 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:35.880 Read verse 26 00:21:35.880 --> 00:21:36.319 with me. 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:37.539 Whoever is 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.319 ashamed of me 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:39.059 and my words, 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:39.900 the Son of Man 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:41.319 will be ashamed 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:42.079 of them when he 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:43.500 comes in his 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.340 glory and in 00:21:44.340 --> 00:21:44.920 the glory of 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:45.400 the Father 00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:46.000 and of the 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:47.240 holy angels. 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:50.299 Everyone who 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.120 rejects Jesus 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:51.759 and does not 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.799 honour or put 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.420 their faith in 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:53.680 him, 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:55.100 as they stand 00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:55.779 before God on 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.660 that final day, 00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:57.980 Jesus says 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.360 he will be 00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:58.880 ashamed of 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.079 them. 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.620 The assumption 00:22:01.620 --> 00:22:02.299 here is that 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:03.440 those who have 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:03.819 gained the 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.360 whole world 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:05.240 in verse 25 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.420 think that by 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:07.079 doing so, 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:07.680 their souls 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:08.460 will be saved. 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:10.000 They think 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.700 that they can 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.340 do enough 00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:12.059 or be good 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:13.279 enough to be 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:13.700 right with 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.059 God. 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.180 But Jesus 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:16.819 says that the 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.299 pursuit of 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:18.059 things in this 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:18.460 life, 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.000 at the neglect 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.559 of following 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:20.960 Jesus, 00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:23.160 will result in 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:24.079 him being ashamed 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:24.879 of you on 00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:25.339 that final 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:25.619 day. 00:22:27.159 --> 00:22:27.639 Think of it 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:28.119 like this, 00:22:28.439 --> 00:22:29.439 when a person 00:22:29.439 --> 00:22:30.199 stands, 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.099 dies and they 00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:31.659 stand before 00:22:31.659 --> 00:22:32.079 God, 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.199 on that final 00:22:33.199 --> 00:22:33.659 day as all 00:22:33.659 --> 00:22:34.339 their thoughts, 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:34.759 all their 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.299 actions, 00:22:35.939 --> 00:22:36.619 everything they've 00:22:36.619 --> 00:22:37.439 ever done or 00:22:37.439 --> 00:22:38.299 thought or said 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:39.799 in this life is 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.439 displayed on a 00:22:40.439 --> 00:22:41.819 big screen in a 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.519 courtroom before 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:42.879 God. 00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:44.519 It is very clear 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:44.980 that they are 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:46.039 guilty of sin, 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:46.919 they have broken 00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:47.720 God's law and 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.899 therefore deserving of 00:22:48.899 --> 00:22:49.439 God's wrath. 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.659 Every single one of 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:51.600 us has done 00:22:51.600 --> 00:22:51.880 that. 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:55.940 But for the 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:56.279 Christian, 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.140 Jesus steps in 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:57.519 and he says, 00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:58.180 paid for. 00:22:59.180 --> 00:23:00.279 That person is 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.779 mine. 00:23:01.080 --> 00:23:02.000 I was broken 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.500 for them. 00:23:02.580 --> 00:23:03.279 I bore their 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:04.320 punishment on the 00:23:04.320 --> 00:23:04.820 cross. 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.360 And Jesus took 00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:08.200 the Christian's 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:09.279 sin and shame 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:11.200 on himself 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:13.160 and gave us 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:14.660 his righteousness, 00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:15.360 his right 00:23:15.360 --> 00:23:16.420 standing before 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:16.900 God. 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.960 But for the 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.420 person who 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.180 rejects Jesus, 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:23.000 for the 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.480 person who 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.200 refuses to 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.120 deny themselves, 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.259 to take up 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:26.900 their cross and 00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:27.579 follow him, 00:23:28.600 --> 00:23:29.340 Jesus stands 00:23:29.340 --> 00:23:29.920 there as 00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:30.319 judge. 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:32.920 Those who are 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.779 not disciples of 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:34.519 Jesus will lose 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.120 their lives and 00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:35.840 he will be ashamed 00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:36.539 of them on that 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:36.799 day. 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.200 And there are 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.880 people who have 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:40.680 all the knowledge 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:42.019 of the Bible 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:43.240 and of Jesus 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:44.059 that they need 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:44.640 to be saved, 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:45.299 but they are not 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.400 willing to submit, 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:47.840 to deny themselves, 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.640 take up their cross 00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:49.299 and follow him. 00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.119 They are ashamed 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:51.159 of following 00:23:51.159 --> 00:23:51.559 Jesus. 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:53.879 And that's the 00:23:53.879 --> 00:23:54.159 warning. 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.039 If that is you, 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:56.659 if you are ashamed 00:23:56.659 --> 00:23:57.599 of Jesus in this 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:58.359 life, he will be 00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:58.960 ashamed of you 00:23:58.960 --> 00:23:59.440 in the end. 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:02.059 And why is this 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.700 such an important 00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:03.440 message for us to 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:04.059 hear this morning? 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:06.019 Well, because 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:07.339 Jesus is saying 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:08.440 to each one of us, 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.700 come and die 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.879 with me daily. 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:14.200 Live for me 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:14.759 daily. 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.539 Deny yourself 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.539 and I will 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.500 satisfy you in 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:20.039 ways that you 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.720 cannot begin to 00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:22.819 imagine both now 00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:24.119 and forever. 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.319 It's an important 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:28.099 message for us to 00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:28.779 hear because the 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.579 call to be a 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:31.200 radical disciple of 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:32.220 Jesus is the call 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:32.779 to die. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.200 And through that 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:35.159 death, we discover 00:24:35.159 --> 00:24:36.019 the fullness of 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:37.079 life that humanity 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:38.299 was created for. 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:41.799 Brothers and 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.420 sisters, do not 00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:43.399 let a day go by 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:44.819 where the world is 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.619 more important to 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:46.219 you than Jesus 00:24:46.219 --> 00:24:46.579 is. 00:24:48.479 --> 00:24:49.459 Charles Studd was 00:24:49.459 --> 00:24:50.139 a cricketer 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:50.879 turned missionary 00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:51.719 to China from 00:24:51.719 --> 00:24:52.519 many years ago. 00:24:53.239 --> 00:24:53.939 And he loved his 00:24:53.939 --> 00:24:54.719 wife, but taking 00:24:54.719 --> 00:24:55.739 Jesus' words in 00:24:55.739 --> 00:24:56.679 Luke 9 seriously 00:24:56.679 --> 00:24:57.759 into his marriage, 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.839 he encouraged 00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:01.579 his wife to say 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:02.239 a short prayer 00:25:02.239 --> 00:25:02.919 every day that 00:25:02.919 --> 00:25:03.459 would help her 00:25:03.459 --> 00:25:04.539 focus on Jesus. 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.539 So every day she 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.539 prayed, dear Lord 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:09.459 Jesus, you are to 00:25:09.459 --> 00:25:10.299 me dearer than 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.319 Charlie ever could 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:11.619 be. 00:25:11.619 --> 00:25:14.359 And that is 00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:15.799 how we live out 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.759 our identity as 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.619 radical disciples. 00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:19.279 As men and 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:19.879 women who put 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:20.719 Jesus as our 00:25:20.719 --> 00:25:21.619 priority in every 00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:22.519 single day, it's 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.199 how we deny 00:25:23.199 --> 00:25:24.099 ourselves, take up 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:24.639 our cross and 00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:25.279 follow him. 00:25:27.479 --> 00:25:28.179 Why not start 00:25:28.179 --> 00:25:28.919 each day this 00:25:28.919 --> 00:25:30.159 week with a 00:25:30.159 --> 00:25:30.839 short, simple 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:31.759 prayer, dear Lord 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:33.639 Jesus, you are to 00:25:33.639 --> 00:25:34.419 me dearer than 00:25:34.419 --> 00:25:35.500 this life ever 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.019 could be. 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:40.039 I think back to 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.819 that family in 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:43.259 India who are 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.039 behind the song 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:44.819 I've decided to 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:46.439 follow Jesus, they 00:25:46.439 --> 00:25:47.899 lay everything on 00:25:47.899 --> 00:25:48.399 the line. 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.720 They gave their 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:52.639 lives because Jesus 00:25:52.639 --> 00:25:53.879 was more precious to 00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:54.939 them than the life 00:25:54.939 --> 00:25:55.919 that they lived. 00:25:57.439 --> 00:25:58.319 They didn't know 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:58.939 what would come from 00:25:58.939 --> 00:26:00.740 their deaths, but 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.679 that entire village 00:26:01.679 --> 00:26:02.859 was one for Christ 00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:04.279 as they willingly 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:05.740 denied themselves, 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:07.019 took up their 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:08.500 cross and followed 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.539 Jesus until their 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:10.299 dying breath. 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:13.200 following Jesus is 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:13.819 the greatest 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:15.419 privilege there is 00:26:15.419 --> 00:26:16.200 in this life. 00:26:17.179 --> 00:26:17.679 Do not waste 00:26:17.679 --> 00:26:18.019 time. 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:20.359 Do not run to the 00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:21.240 fleeting things of 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.799 this world, but 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.980 instead listen to the 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:24.799 Savior who calls you 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:26.659 to die so that in 00:26:26.659 --> 00:26:27.939 him you can truly 00:26:27.939 --> 00:26:28.339 live. 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:30.339 Let's pray together. 00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:34.439 Heavenly Father, we 00:26:34.439 --> 00:26:36.779 thank you for sending 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:38.079 your son Jesus Christ. 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:39.500 Christ, we thank you 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:41.579 for the salvation that 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:42.419 he has made possible 00:26:42.419 --> 00:26:43.539 through his death on 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.119 the cross. 00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:47.240 And Lord, I pray that 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:48.119 you would give us all 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:49.240 strength as we reflect 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:51.000 on this coming year to 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:53.319 make that decision, to 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.960 die to ourselves every 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.659 day so that we can 00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:58.480 live and follow you 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.500 with all of our 00:26:59.500 --> 00:26:59.980 strength. 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:02.039 Lord, give us the 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:03.439 ability to do so by your 00:27:03.439 --> 00:27:05.299 Holy Spirit and would we 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:07.220 bring you all the glory 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.919 and honor. 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:10.339 In Jesus' name, amen.